It all started when I realized I didn’t have to choose.
I didn’t have to choose between all of the unique flavors of my individuality and the person I wanted to be. And guess what? Neither do YOU. You don’t have to choose between feeling good and looking good. You don’t have to choose between living for yourself and living for someone else. You don’t have to choose between being free and committing.
You don’t have to choose between healthy boundaries and deep, meaningful relationships. And you definitely don’t have to choose between being your authentic self and the self societies definition of success says you “should” be. (NOR do you have to choose between any other blanks your heart yearns to fill in!)
How can I be so sure? Scroll for the #before show!
Believe it or not, I wasn’t always the kissy-faced confident chick you see pictured above. I once was an obsessive extremist, plagued with perfectionist ideals and the fear that I had to choose one thing or another - between feeling good and looking good, loving myself and living for others, wanting a comfortable career and wanting to travel and volunteer, following my heart and following my logic, feeling in flow and feeling like I’m flailing, and between being my authentic self and the self I thought I “should” be in order to achieve “success.” I was discouraged, depressed, dissatisfied, and I didn’t know where in the heck the silver lining could be located - and unfortunately MapQuest wasn’t making it any more helpful.
I felt torn between all of the things I wanted to do, see and be, when all I really wanted was to feel complete, and like an authentic, confident, connected, fulfilled version of me.
Next stop: Ecuador. I had lived and volunteered abroad before, but this was for a full year- which was my longest contract to date. Impossible to squish on any About page, my adventures abroad were significant and inspired an unshakeable shift in my understanding of on-purpose living, as well as how I could live in a way that empowered every dimension of me. Pocketing every profound practice and piece of perspective I encountered, I came home an expanded soul that simply couldn’t fit in a corporate cubicle any longer. Working at the leading immigration firm in San Francisco, I was impassioned by my work's results, but the lack of corporate creativity was blocking me from tapping into in-flow, fulfilling living. After the fear of quitting my law firm position faded, I vowed to freelance forever, but instead stumbled upon something WAYY better: the opportunity to work creatively alongside two awe-inspiring sister-entrepreneurs.
Which brings us back to you. Exploring and volunteering taught me the human spirit has no limits, and the eclectic education entrepreneurialism has given me access to continues to empower me with the truth that we don’t have to choose. And thus, create the most beautiful, colorful space for ourselves in this world through that truth. The question is: Will you join me now too?
So I did what I always do when I’m hungry to uncover answers:
Fast + Fun Facts About Me
I feel my most authentic, in sync and on fire self when I’m in the creation space.. Aka: When I’m writing to you :)
The Literature degree in me loves getting lost in a good read...as well as a good ol’ guilt-free dose of reality tv on those days you just can’t do anything but dig into someone else’s debauchery from the safety of your screen.
Raised by some of the strongest, spunkiest and most sincere women I know, I’m a true gals gal to my very core.
I’ve been battling chronic joint pain for four years now, which gave me the opportunity to shape a unique, low-impact style of fitness flow that’s empowered my body with a new understanding of what it means to be well.
Hands down, the best part of my job is the people. Pictured here are four of my favorites, including the electric Joseph McClendon III - an extraordinary individual who’s impact I’m honored to be a part of.
I was the girl my besties always thought would get married last (if ever) and now have happily been with my boyfriend for 6 years (one of which we did from separate sides of the equator)!